Nancy’s Walk round St Tysilio churchyard, Menai Bridge with North Wales WFA
Saturday 5th August 2023
Eight official Commonwealth War Graves Commission burials here, seven from the Great War and one from WWII, all marked ✿. Others are family commemorations or burials for people who contributed to public life
The title line for each person is the wording on their headstone
Some headstones will be a distance from the ‘Stopping Points’, so on the day all headstones listed here will be marked by a crochet poppy, making them visible from the pathway. We also have volunteers who will stand by the more distant headstones, to make them even more visible. Note, that should we end up in the Anglesey Arms, young Kenneth Lloyd Ellis (no 23) was from there!
STOP 1 - opposite the steps, on your right, ‘IHS’ design
1 - In Loving Memory of Elizabeth Williams . . . Also Lance Cpl. J. J. Williams, Son of the above who died prisoner of war in Germany - Oct 1918, Aged 29 years - Sadly missed
John James Williams, Lance Corporal 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment; lived in Hirael, Bangor; worked as a Gardener on the Faenol Estate; had been wounded and treated in hospital in Leeds; returned to the front, taken Prisoner of War, died there 9th October 1918; buried Hautmont Communal Cemetery
CWGC slate headstone, 3 feathers
2 ✿ - 47905 Private R. W. Rowlands - Welch Regiment - 9th April 1921 Age 28
Robert William Rowlands, Private Welch Regiment (Depot); lived at 8 Well Street with his mother Mrs Jane Rowlands; probably died at home of wounds
CWGC slate headstone, sphinx
3 ✿ - L / 36668 Private T. D. Jones - South Wales Borderers - 6th November 1918 Age 27
Thomas Davies Jones, Private South Wales Borderers 9th Battalion - son of Thomas and Dorothy Jones of 9 Well Street; enlisted in Rhymney while living in Abertysswg; probably wounded, transferred to Labour Corps; died at home of wounds
STOP 2 - by church door, CWGC slate headstone with RWF badge
4 ✿ - 2785 Private L. Branwood - Royal Welch Fusiliers - 14th November 1915 age 17 - Also in loving memory of - his brother Herbert - Died 24th Sept. 1918 - Age 9
Leonard James Branwood, Private Royal Welsh Fusiliers; son of Hannah Elizabeth and Leonard James (also buried in this cemetery); father worked as a (telegraph) Linesman; accident with a horse caused a broken skull in Training Camp in Cambridgeshire; contracted meningitis; died in hospital, age 17; given a military funeral, younger brother age 9 also in grave, probably died from flu
STOP 3 - directly behind slate bench, a stone slab with a cross
5 – Henry Capel Sandys, after whom Coed Cyrnol is named, Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Company’s Bengal Military Service (also known as Bengal Native Infantry and East India Company) is also buried here:
In memory of Harriot the wife of Lt. Col. Capel Sandys who died Dec. 20th 1864 - Also in loving memory of Mary Anne Blanchford - widow of the late Richard Norman and daughter of the late Colonel A. G. Sandys - Who died the 2nd September 1913
6 – Er cof am - John Williams. – Pen y Garreg yn y Plwyf hwn - A fu farw Tach 22ain 1866. - Yn 68 Mlwydd Oed - Hefyd am Catherine ei weddw - Yr hon a fu farw Hydref 6ed, 1898 - Yn 85 Mlwydd Oed. . . Also in Loving Memory of Robert Thomas son of, Robert and Jane Williams, Pengarreg and grandson of the above named, who was killed at Mametz Wood, France While serving his King and Country on July 10, 1916 and interred on the 11th in the English Cemetery Markancoupt, France aged 26 Years and 8 Months
Robert Thomas Williams, Sapper 62519 Royal Engineers 123rd Company; killed while Despatch Bearer at Mametz Wood; buried at Morlancourt British Cemetery (commemorated on 2 graves here)
double size kerb grave with headstone, facing Britannia bridge
7 - In loving memory of Owen Jones beloved husband of Margaret Jones Tea Garden, Menai Bridge Died Oct. 24, 1943 Aged 70 years. At rest. Also the above Margaret Jones Died March 22nd, 1947, aged 73 years. He giveth his beloved sleep. In fond remembrance of dear Tysilio killed in action July 7th, 1940, Aged 33 years. Now interred at Cornwall. In the midst of life we are in death.
WWII - Arthur Tysilio Jones (served as Arthur Tysilis Jones), Signalman Royal Corps of Signals – son of Owen and Margaret Jones of the Tea Gardens, Menai Bridge; husband of Dorothy Ada (they lived at the Ship Hotel, Llangefni); worked for the Post Office Engineering Department; saved from the beach at Dunkirk, taken to Penhale Training Camp near Truro for recuperation; bombed by German plane, 22 men killed; buried Perranzabuloe (St Piran) Churchyard, Cornwall
STOP 4 - turn right, on your right, a very small kerb grave, headstone lies flat, cross on grave, not next to path
8 - In Loving Memory of Sgt. Frederick H Williams, Gren Guards Late Ty Rardd, M. Bridge killed in action March 5th 1945. Aged 24 years. Buried in Keppellin Germany. Also his infant sister Iris Cynthia.
WWII - Frederick Hugh Williams, Sergeant 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards; son of F H and E Ross Williams of Ty’Rardd, Menai Bridge; husband of Annie Williams of Shiney Row, Co Durham; crossed in the D-Day Landings of June 6th 1944; by March 1945 in Germany to secure the area of the Rhine and its bridges; died Monday 5th March 1945 age 27; buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany
slate headstone, round topped headstone, decoration of clasped hands
9 – In Loving Memory of Gunner John Edwards The beloved son of Ellen & John Edwards, Slate Yard House Menai Bridge. who died of Wounds in France Oct: 23rd 1917. Aged 23 years. Also James Edwards The beloved son of the above who died Sept: 16th 1918. Aged 25 years. Also the above named, - John Edwards, - who died June 29th 1923, - aged 62 years. - Hefyd am - Ellen Edwards, - Annwyl briod yr uchod - a fu farw Awst 30, 1954, - yn 85 mlwydd oed.
John, Gunner 310491 Royal Garrison Artillery 155th Battery – died Wednesday 24th October 1917; buried Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium
STOP 5 - slate headstone with ivy decoration, double kerb grave
10 – In Loving memory of Owen Jones . . . Also their son, - Pte. Robert Jones R.W.F. Killed in Action Sept. 28, 1917, Aged 18 years. Somewhere in France in a soldiers grave Lies our dear son amongst the brave Only those who have lost are able to tell The grief for one we loved so well. Also Pte. Roderick Griffydd Jones, Royal Pioneer Corps. Son of the late Owen Jones. Died of wounds in Italy March 16, 1944 Aged 31 years.
10a – WWI Robert Jones, Private Royal Welsh Fusiliers 19th Battalion – killed while on patrol in No Man’s Land, buried Fins New British Cemetery, France
10b - WWII - Roderick Griffydd Jones (served as Roderick Griffith Jones), Private 4202762, 132 Company Pioneer Corps; part of the invasion of southern Italy to drive the Germans back; buried Naples War Cemetery
double kerb grave in granite, cross lies flat
11 – In Loving Memory of Charles Egerton Dixon, D.L., J.P., O.B.E., Lt. Colonel, late 18th The Royal Irish Regt. Who passed away on Feb 17th, 1922. “The memory of the just is blessed” (Also slab on grave to Susan S Dixon)
Lt Col Charles Egerton Dixon: career soldier Royal Irish Regiment, married to Susannah Snowdon Park (née Blood), lived at Glan Ceris; commandment of Carnarvonshire Volunteers, Order of the British Empire (OBE); Deputy Lieutenant for Anglesey, Justice of the Peace, Recruiting Officer during Great War and on Committee for St Tysilio War Memorial
His stepson: Adam St John Lloyd Park, Major Royal Field Artillery 38th Brigade – great grandson of Mungo Park explorer; career artilleryman, trained at Woolwich; served in South Africa and India; awarded the Military Cross; died Saturday 21st April 1917, age 30; buried Gorre British & Indian Cemetery, France
STOP 6 - double kerb grave at upper level in rough granite, low standing Celtic cross
12 – To The Dear Memory of Frederic William Turner . . . (tablet on grave) Emmeline Shutt Died February 15, 1958 ‘Lord in thy mercy, grant safe lodging’.
Emmeline Shutt (née Turner) of Cartrefle, married in 1913 to Herbert Cecil Shutt (known as Cecil); she worked as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse) during the war, in Holyhead. ‘F. W. Turner’ served on the War Heroes’ Memorial Committee for Menai Bridge. They raised money and ensured that the St Tysilio Cenotaph was built
Lt Herbert Cecil Shutt, Royal Scots Rifles 3rd Battalion (attached 1st Battalion); educated Sedbergh School and Queen’s College, Cambridge; Barrister-at-Law on the Northern Circuit; shot while leading an attack on German trenches Monday 13th November 1916, age 30; commemorated Thiepval Memorial, France. This grave faces their house, Cartrefle.
slate headstone with kerb, cross and anchor design (3 slate plaques on grave)
13 - In Affectionate Remembrance Of Thomas Owen . . . Also of their dear Grandson, Tono Killed in Action in Burma, March. 18, 1943.
WWII - Thomas Williams, Private 4195693, 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers - son of John and Maggie Williams; was part of a force sent to the Arakan (Burma) with orders to overwhelm Donbaik held by the Japanese, a bloody battle which failed; after the war Field Marshal Slim said of the RWF that ‘they showed valour which has rarely been surpassed’; died Thursday 18th March 1943; age 22; commemorated Rangoon Memorial. (Battle of Kohima fought across a tennis court)
STOP 7 - double kerb grave, slate headstone decoration of vertical lines and tulips
14 – In Cherished Remembrance of Emily Davies . . . Also of John R. Davies, (Son) Killed in Action in France August 8, 1918, Aged 18 years . . .
John Richard Davies, Private 51188 Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd Battalion; born Holyhead, educated Beaumaris Grammar School; worked in the Marquis of Anglesey’s Estate Office; enlisted at Wrexham, overseas in June 1918; killed in action night of 7/8 August (CWGC 9th August); buried Le Vertannoy British Cemetery, France
slate headstone, double size ledger slab
15 – Tirionaf Gofion Am Nel . . . Hefyd Cynan 1895-1970 Bardd a Llenor
Albert Evans Jones (Bardic name Cynan) served in the Royal Army Medical Corps – educated at Grammar School Pwllheli and University College Bangor; Bala Theological College to train as a Minister; was a Minister on the battlefield (Mesopotamia); later teacher, preacher and poet; he wrote about his experiences in the war; he is known for updating the organisation and ceremonies of the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol (National Eisteddfod)
STOP 8 - double grave with slate headstone and kerb, white chippings
16 - In loving memory - of - my dear husband - Renig Meirion Jones, – 11, Rhyd Menai, Menai Bridge. - Who died January 31, 1950, - Aged 53 years. . . . Also of his beloved sons Willie and Harold killed in action 1939–45. “May light perpetual shine upon them and grant them eternal rest”.
16a - WWII - William Henry Jones, Serjeant 4201697 31st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers – during 1939 / 1945 Isle of Man was used as an internment camp for civilians without British passports, also bombing and firing ranges on the island; killed by accident in an artillery training exercise Tuesday 2nd November 1943, age 34; buried Douglas Cemetery, Isle of Man.
16b - WWII - Harold Harlan Jones Able Seaman P/SSX 22862 Royal Navy, HMS Hood; it had been his ambition as a boy to sail on the Hood; sent to intercept German battleships as they left to attack the convoys in the Atlantic, Hood was hit by shells from the Bismarck; it took the Hood 3 minutes to sink; from a crew of more than 1,400 men, 3 survived; died Saturday 24.05.1941, age 20; commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
look up, slate headstone and kerb with slab
17 – Er Gof Serchog am Annie . . . Hefyd am eu hannwyl fab Richard Robert Yr hwn a gollwyd yn Gallipoli Awst 1915, yn 20 mlwydd oed.
Richard Robert Williams, Private 19808 South Wales Borderers 4th Battalion – worked at the Anglesey Arms Hotel as a Boot Black, in Liverpool and Sunlight Soap factory on the Wirral; killed in action 12th August 1915, age 19; commemorated Helles Memorial, Gallipoli
STOP 9 - tarmac path, turn right, on right, slate headstone with vertical stripes and kerb with slab
18 – Er Serchog Gof Am Hugh M Roberts . . . Hefyd John Roberts, A laddwyd yn Ffrainc yn 23 mlwydd oed. “Hedd Perffaith Hedd.”
John Roberts, Private 26349 Royal Welsh Fusiliers 17th Battalion – born Llanbedrgoch; killed in action at Mametz Wood 12th July 1916; commemorated Thiepval Memorial, France
path up hill, 3rd headstone next to path, CWGC burial, family headstone, polished granite with anchors
19 ✿ - Er Serchog Gof Am William Annwyl briod Carrie Jones A mab William a Martha Jones 8 Bro-Hyfryd Gollodd ei fywyd ar y Botanic yn Dover Medi 15 1940 yn 25 mlwydd oed. Yr Arglwydd a roddod a’r arglwydd a gymerodd ymaith.
WWII - William Jones, Ordinary Seaman LT/JX 190111 Royal Navy, HMS Botanic – had been requisitioned by RN for use as a Minesweeper; one of the ships to evacuate troops from Dunkirk beach in June 1940; September 15th 1940 was in Dover harbour when bombed by a German aircraft, 6 crew killed
path up hill, 4th headstone next to path, Celtic cross (smaller version of Cenotaph cross)
20 – To the Dear Memory of H Harold Hughes Who died on the 7th Jan 1940 Aged 75 years
Henry Harold Hughes, Architect and Diocesan Surveyor for Bangor, author of books on old cottages and churches of Snowdonia; 1916 went to France to work in a military hospital, later wrote about it for the local newspaper; designed the cross that is the war memorial on St Tysilio
next in from H Harold Hughes
21 - In Loving Memory of Ruth . . . Also T C O Hughes Lost at sea May 21 1941 Aged 21 years
WWII - Thomas Charles Owen Hughes, Stoker 1st Class C/KX 106412 HMS Juno RN; commemorated Chatham Naval Memorial; the Juno was with the Mediterranean fleet, off Crete when she was hit by a bomb from an Italian Cant Z1007 warplane and she was split in two, sank in 97 seconds (crew of 183; 116 were lost); commemorated Chatham Naval Memorial
STOP 10 - path, 6th headstone next to path
22 - Er Serchog Gof Am Owen Evans . . . Hefyd eu mab Roy Vivian R.N. Rhagfyr 9, 1912 Medi 3, 1941
WWII - Roy Vivian Evans, son of Mr & Mrs Owen Evans; educated Beaumaris Grammar School; worked as a Builder & Contractor in 1939; married to Lucy from Bolton, Lancs; joined Royal Navy and served as Able Seaman / DEMS Gunner (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship) on HMS Richepanse, commercial ship taken over by French Vichy government, captured by RN (9 February 1941); torpedoed and sunk by U-567 at 20.42 hours on 3 September 1941. Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial
STOP 11 – at top of path, look right
23 - In Loving Memory of Emily Ann Ellis The beloved wife of William Ellis Anglesey Arms Hotel who died 18th May, 1939. Also their son Kenneth Lloyd Ellis Major 4th Batt. R.W.F. Killed in Normandy July 17, 1944, aged 29 years. Also her husband William Ellis who died June 14 1962. Also their son Leslie M.A. Oxon who died June 6, 1967.
WWII - Kenneth Lloyd Ellis, commemorated in Barmouth as well as Menai Bridge; he married Margaret Williams in 1939; served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers 4th Battalion; was present when they returned to France as part of D Day invasion (landed 28th June 1944) and fought their way through France towards Belgium; killed in action in Normandy; buried in Brouay War Cemetery, near Caen
look right, polished granite with rough stone pillars, writing unclear - between ‘Christmas’ & ‘Mary Ellen’
24 – Er Serchog Gof am H Madog Jones . . . Hefyd eu mab J Ivor Jones A Gollwyd yn Ffrainc Chwef 27 1917 yn 20 oed
John Ivor Jones, Private 43595 Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1st Battalion – brought up on Ynys Gorad Goch; educated Beaumaris Grammar School; worked in Prestatyn branch of London, City and Midland Bank; enlisted in Rhyl in April 1916; killed in action in France, 27th February 1917; buried Queen’s Cemetery, Bucquoy, France
look ahead, towards shed
25 – Er Cof am Margaret Williams 1889 – 1962. A’i Phriod J R Williams 1876 – 1928. A’u mab Bob a laddwyd yn Caen
‘Bob Bwlch Glas’, joined the Welsh Guards 2nd Battalion in May 1939; on 21 May 1940 they sailed to France, were evacuated midnight 23 May (‘Dunkirk’); returned to France 28th June 1944, as part of the ‘D Day’ invasion, killed in action 25 July 1944, buried Ranville War Cemetery
look left, tall headstone with crossed rifle and sword
26 – Thomas Rainforth Major 1st Battalion 24th Regiment (Late of S.W. Borderers) Aged 55 years Died 14th November, 1897 Sunday
Thomas Rainforth, professional soldier (son of a professional soldier who had fought at Waterloo); served with the 24th Regiment of Foot (SWB after 1881); fought in the Kaffir war 1877-78, Zulu war 1879, Battle of Ulundi; should have been in command at Battle of Rorke’s Drift, message went astray
look left, slate headstone with broken chain outlining grave area
27 – Er Serchog Goffadwriaeth am Jane . . . Hefyd am eu annwyl fab Griffith John Collodd ei fywd yn y rhyfel fawr yn Bullingcourt, Ffrainc Mai 5, 1917 yn 23 mlwydd oed
Griffith John Jones, Private 5717 Australian Imperial Force 1st Battalion – brought up Menai Bridge; emigrated to Australia about 1913 as Plasterer; embarked for UK June 1916; killed in action in France 5th May 1817, age about 30; buried at Vraucourt Copse Cemetery, France
STOP 12 - back to entrance gate and up hill on right
28 - Er serchog gof Am Annie Priod annwyl Rowland Williams Glyn Derw Porthaethwy . . . Also our dear brother John Idris and beloved husband of Kathleen Died September 18, 1965 Aged 44 years . . .
WWII - Menai bridge lad, played Centre Half for the Tigers football team, Captain in the year they won the North Wales Cup; worked for John Edwards Timber Yard (Porth Wrach, now dwellings) in the offices and then as salesman; volunteered for RAF in WWII, served as a Navigator in Vickers Wellington bombers; parachuted out 3 times (Member of Caterpillar Club “Life depends on a silken thread’), once to Bethesda, Snowdonia when he persuaded the Police to allow him to visit his parents; returned to John Edwards after war; married Kathleen from Birkenhead, they moved to Cheltenham where he was salesman for MacFarlane Langs (biscuits); died age 44, in 1965.
STOP 13 - plot on left with polished granite pillar, broken metal fence, several slabs marking graves
29 – On the pillar: In Loving Memory of Gracie Wife of John Robert Davies, of Ceris and eldest daughter of S. O. Habershon, Senior Physician of Guys Hospital and Vice President of the College of Physicians Born May 23rd 1855, Died May 14th 1919. “Let her own works praise her in the gates” And of John Robert Davies of Ceris Eldest son of Richard Davies of Treborth, Born March 11, 1856, Died April 17, 1934.
Mrs Gracie Davies née Habershon of Ceris – married to John Davies, eldest son of Richard Davies of Treborth; sister of Herbert Habershon, surgeon to Gladstone; she organised a Welsh Industries Association shop where needlewomen could sell their work; Assistant Commander of the Red Cross military hospital at Bodlondeb; ensured that there was money to pay the Belgian refugees who worked on the ‘Belgian Promenade’; Mentioned in Despatches
Her son, Richard Rees Davies served in the Lancers during the war, was injured and survived; son-in-law Guy Fison, an Olympic rower, served in Royal Field Artillery, won Military Cross, survived
29a – In Loving Memory of Catherine, Wife of Dr. S. H. Habershon and second daughter of Richard Davies of Treborth. Died December 9th 1930. Aged 71
Catherine Habershon - third of nine children to Annie and Richard Davies of Treborth; married to Herbert Habershon, medical specialist (brother of Gracie above); mother of Cyril (1887 – 1953, Captain SWB),
Kenneth born 1889, educated Winchester & New College Oxford; Captain 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade; died at Ypres, Feb 12 1916, age 26; buried Poperinghe New Military Cemetery; ‘He had insisted on going out under heavy fire to relieve a comrade and was struck by a shell while on the way.’
Leonard born 1893; educated Winchester & Cambridge, a promising composer; Captain 12th Battalion East Yorks Regiment; commemorated Thiepval Memorial
29b – And of Annie Mary, Eldest daughter of Richard Davies Treborth Born Feb 15 1857, Died July 24 1947. “My peace I leave with you”.
Annie Mary Davies - sister of Captain Arthur Davies 1st/6th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers who died 10th August 1915 at Gallipoli, age 38; there was doubt about his death, she visited Egypt in September 1915 to look for him; she visited Gallipoli in 1928 to see where he had fought
The Davies plot faces their family house, Treborth – now hidden by trees
STOP 14 – climb to cenotaph (back to Britannia bridge), look right
30 ✿ – Er Serchog Goffadwriaeth Am Mary Roberts Menai Cafe . . . Hefyd am William Owen Anwyl fab William ac Anne Davies, Menai Cafe, Porthaethwy, Yr hwn a fu farw Mehefin 6ed, 1918, Tra yn gwasanaethu y Brenhin a’i wlad yn Limerick, Iwerddon, Yn 26 mlwydd oed.
William Owen Davies, Private 37827 Royal Welsh Fusiliers 3rd Battalion – injured in action (lost a finger), was on ‘Home Service’ in Limerick, Ireland where he contracted flu, died on 6th June 1918; military funeral
look ahead, headstone lies flat, design of clasped hands
31 – In Loving Memory of Private Thomas Evans. 74078. 10th Notts Derby Reg’t. the beloved son of Robert & Mary Evans. 8 Druid Road, Menai Bridge. Who (was) killed in France April 21, 1918, Aged 20 years. Also Evelyn Myfanwy the beloved Daughter of the above, who died Aug 15, 1919, Aged 12 years. “God takes our loved ones from our home - but never from our hearts.” Also Archibald, the beloved son of the above, who died May 27, 1923, Aged 12 years. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Also the above named Robert Evans - who died Sept 25, 1924, Aged 54 years.
Thomas Evans, Private Notts & Derby Regiment 10th Battalion; enlisted with RWF; injured and after recovery sent to Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby); killed in action, commemorated on Pozières Memorial, France
ahead and left, CWGC Portland stone (white) headstone
32 ✿ – 615 Corporal A. W. Connington Australian Flying Corps 25th October 1918 Age 23 The dearly beloved son of Mr.& Mrs. W. J. Connington of Goulburn, N.S.W.
William Alexander Connington, Corporal Australian Flying Corps (originally ‘The Flying Squad’) – nephew to Rebecca Connington of Gwynfryn; a Fitter and Turner before the war; trained as an armament fitter for aeroplanes; was about to train as a pilot; did not have robust health, caught flu, died in Aylesbury, age 23; was given a full military funeral
His first cousin, Mary Connington served as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse) during the war. Ernest Victor, Mary’s brother, signed up with the Canadians under an assumed name (Michael Davies), later reverting to his own name; survived the war; probably died in Canada in 1964
Adjacent, white marble cross on stepped plinth with kerb, CWGC burial, private headstone
33 ✿ – R. I. P. In Loving Memory of Lieutenant Philip Corliss Gannaway, R.N.V.R. Beloved husband of Muriel Gannaway and second beloved son of Mr and Mrs F G Gannaway Auckland New Zealand Died at Bangor, November 6th 1918 In peace he lived, in peace he died.
Philip Corliss Gannaway, Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve – married Alice Muriel shortly before leaving New Zealand; worked as a Surveyor in Hamilton; served in Patrol Boats on the Strait; died from flu, age 32; full naval funeral, work stopped in the shipyards bordering the Straits for them to pay their respects as his coffin was taken past by boat
CWGC slate headstone
34 ✿ – 60692 Private David Jones South Lancashire Regt 2nd May 1917 Age 55
David Jones, married to Annie, lived at 4 Well Street, Menai Bridge; a Labourer at Penrhyn Port before the war; was given a full military funeral
furthest corner of this area (away from Cenotaph), kerb grave
35 – Er cof serchog am Jane . . . Hefyd gyda chof annwyl am Robert Thomas, eu mab, A gollwyd yn Ffrainc Gorphenaf 10, 1916.
Robert Thomas Williams (as number 5) here remembered on his parents’ grave
headstone, scroll design with lead inset lettering (poor condition) poppy and ivy decoration on pillars
36 – In Loving Memory of Thomas Ellis . . . Also their son William Henry Ellis First Class Petty Officer - Who died on the China Stn on board HMS “Cadmus” Jan 1st 1917, aged 33
William Henry Ellis, Shipwright 345696 2nd Class Royal Navy – HMS Cadmus – Carpenter; died of heart failure, buried at sea; commemorated Chatham Naval Memorial
Family lived at Demerara House in Menai Bridge before moving to Hoole near Chester
And, in Menai Bridge new Cemetery on Ffordd Caergybi (A5):
Facing as you enter cemetery, first row of central plot, polished granite on rough stone base
37 - Er Gof Annwyl am Olwen Chambers . . . Hefyd eu mab Radio Officer Thomas Robert - a Gollwyd ar yr S.S. Arakaka - Mehefin 23, 1941,- yn 21 mlwydd oed.
Thomas Robert Chambers, 2nd Radio Officer Merchant Navy, S.S. Arakaka – educated Friars School in Bangor; a career Merchant Navy man; Arakaka had been chartered by the Ministry of Defence as a Weather Ship, she took meteorological readings of surface and upper air; there had been an unwritten rule that weather boats would not be attacked, however, in May 1941 a German weather boat was captured by the British, they took Enigma machines and code books; sinking of the Arakaka might have been a reprisal; lost 23rd June 1941; commemorated Tower Hill Memorial, London
Compiled from the Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd Gwynedd Family History Society -